As we are a bunch of people with varied interests and opinions, who read different things, watch different shows and get our news from different sources, we thought that it might be an idea to start sharing and compiling the news stories and announcements that have been rocking our world on a weekly basis in one place. That way, we can help develop the Bean community and start sharing our joys and surprise and horror with each other. It will also make this a great one-stop shop for all of the things you need to know about to rant with your friends and to add to conversations that might otherwise stay in horrible small-talk territory forever.

Here are the news stories that have had Team Bean shook lately…

(TW: discussion of body-shaming, abuse, consent and rape laws is featured in this listicle.)

The Buffy Reboot:

Over the weekend, it was announced that Buffy is being rebooted by 20th Century Fox Television, with Joss Whedon as an executive producer and Monica Owusu-Breen as the writer, producer and showrunner. And people, understandably, lost their minds. Touching such beloved fan property is always controversial and BtVS is an especially sacred show. Add into the mix that it is being billed as a reboot with a black actress taking on the titular role and you’re bound to deal with even more controversy. Debate is currently raging with many saying that no one even wanted a reboot and others stating that simply recycling the role – instead of creating an entirely new one – with a POC is disrespectful.

Details are scarce at the moment but here’s hoping we get the story of a black slayer that we all deserve and not a flat rehash of the same story.

Image used with permission from IT Cosmetics.

IT Cosmetics are launching in Ireland:

Last week, a very exciting email landed in our inboxes, announcing that IT Cosmetics will finally be coming to Ireland! Opening its first store in Dublin on Thursday that 26th of July 2018, in the ever-expanding Arnotts Beauty Hall, it will be a chance for all of us beauty lovers in Ireland to get our hands on this cult line of Cruelty-Free American makeup and skincare products – we can’t wait!

Primark’s Line of Beauty Products is Officially Certified as Cruelty-Free:

Speaking of excellent beauty news, here’s another great email update we got this past week: Primark’s PS… own-brand cosmetics range has now achieved the Cruelty-Free International Leaping Bunny certification, for their make-up, skincare and haircare products! The Leaping Bunny logo will now appear on products going forward and it is great news for those who want to go Cruelty-Free on a budget.

In the post “Me Too” climate that we live in, the discussion of abuse, consent, rape and the laws that protect victims has been even more intense than ever. Whether it is the recent case in Belfast that captured the attention of the Irish public, the constant revealing of people in power who have abused it, the inspirational strength of the group of women who faced abuse by Larry Nassar, or the removal of the judge who presided over the controversial Brock Turner case in the States from the bench; people are speaking out and standing up. In Spain, they are taking this one step further, with the introduction of a law, in the wake of the failings of their current system, that could deem a sexual encounter without explicit verbal consent as rape.

Netflix’s Insatiable is accused of fat-shaming and a petition for its cancellation gains over 100,000 signatures in days:

There’s no doubt that Netflix has been killing it as a business and there are also plenty of iconic shows and movies to have already have been produced by the streaming platform. However, their trailers for an upcoming show called Insatiable, starring Debby Ryan, have been poorly received and there has even been a Change.org petition created to call for its cancellation. Said petition has already gained over 100,000 signatures.

Why all of this chaos? The show in question, a teen comedy-drama tells the tale of Patty, an overweight teen who is bullied and finds school to be an utter nightmare. She then undergoes weight loss after being punched in the face and having to get her jaw wired shut. When she returns to school to find that everyone is treating her completely differently, she decides to use this new power over others to get revenge.

Rumblings of the problematic nature of the premise and the fat-shaming at its core quickly popped up online. The petition against the show was started by a woman named Florence Given describes it as “part of a much larger problem that I can promise you every single woman has faced in her life: sitting somewhere on the scale of valuing their worth on their bodies, to be desirable objects for the male gaze. That is exactly what this series does.” It is accused of perpetuating “not only the toxicity of diet culture, but the objectification of women’s bodies”.

In response, stars on the show and the creators have stated that it actually highlights and tackles these issues but that remains, as Insatiable itself, still to be seen…

Image via @RealVIXX on Twitter

VIXX’s Leo to Release A Solo Album:

This is definitely news that blew the mind of our Ed-in-Chief, Colette, and not really anyone else on the team…because no one else is a Kpop nerd. But if you are interested in Kpop at all: keep an eye out for this release.

Leo, one of the two main vocalists of the group VIXX (Colette’s faves), and a member of the VIXX sub-unit, VIXX LR, (with the rapper of the group, Ravi) is releasing a solo album on the 31st! The news broke last week with little warning and was accompanied by the most gorgeous teaser vid and photos. With members of the group already active on solo tours, in dramas and web-dramas, it is a great summer for VIXX lovers and we (mostly Colette) can’t wait to see what Leo has in store for us all!

What news has been blowing your mind lately? Let us know and, if you have anything to add to this series on a weekly basis, tell us!

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Published by Colette Fitzpatrick

Hey! I'm Editor-in-Chief and Fashion Ed of Bean Magazine, Colette Fitzpatrick. I am a writer, crier, over-thinker and soft-touch from Kildare who has lived in, and loved, Dublin since university. Fashion is my problematic first love but I also adore talking about art, food, travel, music and much more besides! Bean Magazine was my brain child, born from the frustration at my own limited creative outlets and those of the awesome, beautiful and talented women in my life. We wanted to create a space for other women like us, who need somewhere that inspires joy and happiness, while never ignoring the important issues facing women in Ireland today. This is that space. I hope Bean Magazine will become a community that will encourage new friendships, adventures and fulfillment. I've been blogging for over five years and it has changed my life and I'd love to give a little bit of that to all of you, too! Follow me to the front row of fashion week across two continents, on romantic getaways with best friends, to the best cafes, bars and restaurants in Dublin, to the most amazing exhibitions and more...I've got loads that I can't wait to show you.
View all posts by Colette Fitzpatrick